I am a novice looking for a hobie for casual recreational use in the Jacksonville FL area. I have found a used 2001 Getaway with trailer for sale within driving distance. Pictures not available.

Would appreciate any advice on inspecting this boat and practical advice on what might be a fair purchase price and a superb price.

Thanks, Steve

Find you a good hobie 16 or 18, Less money. And I think you like it better in the long run. And you would have a faster boat.

It all depends what Steve is wanting the boat for. If he wants nothing but speed, then he should look elsewhere. If he wants a relaxing ride, or to take the family out, the Getaway would be a perfect boat. Lots more hull volume than a Hobie 16 and you don't have to constantly worry about a pitchpole if the winds come up.
If the boat is good condition, it should bring over $3000.00. After all, it's not even two years old. A dealer in Ohio has a new 2002 for $7500. (list price of nearly $9000.00).
Good luck Steve,
Jack Hoying
Prindle 18
Fort Loramie, Ohio

Hi Steve, I was in exactly your position last year, no sailing experience but wanting to sail cats. I bought a getaway ($10000 Canadian with wings) and have been extremely happy with it. It was a friendly boat to learn on and within a short period of time I was able to sail it in 20knt winds without capsizing it. It rigs up very easily within 30 minutes. The whole family can fit on the tramps. It is very durable; I knocked the hulls a few times trying to launch between narrow piers with no damage. As far as speed goes I realize that it is not the fastest cat out there (Portsmouth rating .83 compared to H16 .76) but to a novice it sure seems fast enough. With a 500lb crew I had it doing 15kts on a reach as measured by GPS. With the same crew we sailed side by side with a H16 (no jib) being single handed by a 170lb crew. He did pass us but did so quite gradually. All round it is a great boat if you buy it for the right reasons and I certainly have no regrets with mine. I do want a more high performance boat now and am looking an Inter 20 but I certainly will keep the Getaway. It'll be a great family cruiser for many years to come.
Best Wishes
Randy

Hay Steve you cannot go wrong with a Getaway as it's the ultimate family boat, and the kids love the front tramp. It has more than enough speed and you can take a lot of gear with you. I have sailed my H16 against several Getaways and even though they are much slower (in certain situations) they are not a dog by any means. You have to watch out for the Tupperware snobs out there (ha, ha), as some just do not like the plastic hulls but when it comes to a family boat I can't imagine a better boat. We use to have a Hobie 21 Sport Cruiser and just loved it as well but the set-up time was a real pain and hulls really took a beating due to the places the kids liked to sail to, rocky areas, etc. The Getaway has all the advantages of a H21SC without the hassle and in a more manageable package.

I do not own one but know the boat well and my family knows it well. We use the H16 with Trapseats. My kids have no problem it and actually, when the wind blows the kids want to stay out longer. They will yell at me to go faster, wetter, and wilder, so the H16 is a great choice. My brother just bought a TheMightyHobie18 and loves it. Both the H16 and TheMightyHobie18 are affordable and the H16 has great class racing, youth racing, etc. etc.

Don’t forget the Wave as it's a great family boat to and the kids can go out on it solo and you will have not to worry much as its an easy boats to sail. A lot less room than on a Getaway though.

Good luck.

I would make sure that the upgrades have been done, mast float, and forestay. A boat in good condition will be in the $4,000-$4,500 range. We have had these boats in rental for the past 2 years and there's not a lot that can go wrong with then. It's one of the best all around boats for the money in my opinion. If you have any question feel free to contact me!

Thanks,
Brad Stephens
850-235-2281
www.sunjammers.com
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard Dealer

After sailing a getaway this past summer, I'd just advise you to make sure and get a new tiller extension if it comes with the stock one. The stock fiberglass pole is real flimsy, and small diameter... after 15 minutes of sailing the rental, my hand was cramped up.

Also the bench wings are great if you have family with you, I brought my little sister and her friend out on the getaway, and they loved it, actually got a 14 year old girl interested in cat sailing.

Just received new infor on the boat: The mast base has a crack preventing the base pin from working as it should, it makes stepping the mast a little harder but thats it. it has some scratches on the hulls.

How significant a problem is this likely to be or costly to repair?

Steve

Heres what you do:

Go to the hobie usa site http://www.hobiecat.com then go to product support, then parts diagrams, find the one for the getaway. Locate the mast base step piece, get the part number, then come back to the catsailor.com store and find the part number.

If its anything like the H17 mast base, then it should merely bolt in.